June 30, 2017

Harrison REVIEW THE

June 30, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 26 | www.harrisonreview.com

Uber, Lyft become legal in Westchester County By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer

SMOOTH SAILING

Barry Feldman, left, stands with son-in-law Drew Lapkin and grandson Eli Lapkin after finishing the Marion-Bermuda Race on June 14. The three generations of local sailors took to the open water earlier this month to participate in the 40-year-old yacht race. For story, see page 15. Contributed photo

Memorial service, eulogy held for ex-mayor’s wife A month after her passing, a memorial service was held last Saturday for the wife of a former mayor of the town/village of Harrison. On June 24, a service was held at St. Anthony’s Church in West Harrison to celebrate the life of Gloria Passidomo, who was married to her predeceased husband of 57 years, John Passidomo, the former mayor of Harrison and New York state commissioner of motor vehicles. In May, Gloria Passidomo passed away at the age of 92 in Naples, Florida.

“She was the most hospitable soul you could have ever met,” said former Mayor Joan Walsh, a close friend of the Passidomos. “It was always warm and welcoming in her house.” Gloria Passidomo worked briefly for the Edward L. Bernays public relations firm in New York City and later managed a dental office in the village of Scarsdale. She was responsible for beginning the Meals-on-Wheels program in Harrison and was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary at St. Agnes Hospital, which is located in White Plains.

During her time living in Harrison, she helped manage her husband’s campaign headquarters through a number of election cycles. “She was a friend and matriarch of the [Passidomo] family, and also a great first lady,” said Mayor Ron Belmont, who attended the memorial service. “I was proud to attend her eulogy.” Gloria Passidomo met her husband while studying at Fordham University in the Bronx and married him in 1947. John Passidomo was first elected mayor in 1965. Re-elect-

ed eight times, he served in that capacity until 1983 when he resigned to become the commissioner of motor vehicles under then Gov. Mario Cuomo. John Passidomo was responsible for developing the string of corporate office parks along Interstate 287 known as the “Platinum Mile,” and is the reason behind Harrison’s town/village structure. Gloria Passidomo was remarried in 2011 to Dr. George Talis, who also predeceased her. She is survived by five children and 10 grandchildren. -Reporting by Franco Fino

Westchester County won’t be able to regulate ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft beyond the state law, which goes into effect this week. But that won’t stop county lawmakers from trying. The county has decided not to opt-out of the New York state law regulating ride-hailing companies outside of New York City. Although Uber and Lyft drivers have frequently taken fares within Westchester over the last few years, they have done so illegally, as neither state nor county law has permitted it. That is set to change on Thursday, June 29, after press time, when a new state law overseeing ride-hailing becomes official. But some, including County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, have criticized the state law for not having the same safety regulations as are required by the law which has allowed ride-hailing in New York City since 2011. “When the new state regulations came out a few weeks ago under the Department of Motor Vehicles, that failed to give Westchester County residents the same protections as New York City, we had to take action to try to fix this kind of problem,” Astorino said at a press conference with Uber and Lyft representatives on Tuesday. Ride-hailing in New York City is overseen by the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission, TLC, which requires all drivers to be fingerprinted. But the law in the rest of New York state puts those regulations in the hands of the state DMV, which will not re-

quire drivers to be fingerprinted. “But in Westchester, because we border New York City… we of course wanted to go a step further and create a system that included fingerprinting for drivers in Westchester County,” Astorino said. With that in mind, county and ride-hailing officials created “Thumbs Up,” a voluntary program in which interested drivers would get fingerprinted by the county and then be added to a pool of approved drivers for ride-hailing, taxi or limousine services. Drivers whose fingerprints are clean would also be awarded a decal from the county, verifying that those drivers have been vetted by Westchester. The process would cost $90 to drivers and, according to the county executive, would be completed in three days or less. Astorino asked the ride-hailing companies to integrate the Thumbs Up program into their apps, allowing users to see beforehand whether their driver has been fingerprinted before ordering the car. Neither company committed to that policy in the short term, adding that the deal was new and they were considering their options. In the meantime, Astorino said, users will have to decide when their car arrives whether they feel safe entering a car based on the presence of a Thumbs Up decal or lack thereof. But those companies will have to address the question of cancellation fees, which are normally charged to users who solicit UBER continued on page 5

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County lawmakers have their say on Israel, Palestine By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Westchester County lawmakers had their say in one of the world’s oldest and most divisive conflicts, Israel and Palestine, bringing international issues and bigotry to the forefront of its legislative chambers. On June 19, stemming from a proposal by Legislator Ken Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat, the Board of Legislators voted to adopt a resolution reaffirming lawmakers’ continued support of U.S. relations with Israel, while rejecting calls to divest from Israeli businesses by the movement Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions, BDS—a Palestinian faction that aims to pressure the state of Israel economically and politically through lobbying businesses and governments. According to Legislator Jim Maisano, a New Rochelle Republican, pressure from constituents across the county has forced issues of both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia to the legislative floor. Fueled in recent months by a slew of bomb threats to local Jewish Community Centers, includ-

ing in New Rochelle, Maisano said county lawmakers have been under increasing scrutiny to take a hard stance against bigotry. “We were getting phone calls and emails from different sides and different issues,” Maisano said. “We felt that this was the best way to deal with these issues that normally aren’t county issues.” In tandem with the resolution passed last week, the Board of Legislators also unanimously voted to adopt a resolution condemning hate crimes and bigotry across the county; a move Maisano said complements the body’s stance on BDS. While many legislators expressed their reticence toward involving themselves in issues beyond the scope of the county Legislature, Jenkins, who is also running for county executive, said the resolution didn’t go far enough. A law drafted by Jenkins, that was ultimately rejected by his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, would have required a company’s bidding for contracts to agree not to support the BDS movement as a stipulation of doing business with Westchester.

Already, Jenkins said, the county has a similar law regarding any economic ties with factions in Northern Ireland; specifically, groups labeled as terrorists and bad actors by the United Kingdom like the Irish Republican Army. “You cannot utilize county funding to participate in what some view as an anti-Semitic activity,” Jenkins said. “The procurement law I proposed was very focused on what the county does. I looked at this as a human rights issue, and that’s why I proposed the law that way.” Many of Jenkins’ Democratic colleagues, like Mary Jane Shimsky, a Hastings-on-Hudson Democrat, however, did not see eye to eye. “[Jenkins’ bill] struck many of us as violating people’s rights,” said Shimsky. “If an American citizen determines that they don’t want to buy goods from a certain country, that’s their choice.” Shimsky said she feels the approved resolution, which she said is meant to encapsulate the sentiments of the Legislature, made a stance without forcing the county into rocky legal and diplomatic territory.

Calls from a Palestinian movement to divest in Israel sparked a legislative stance on a conflict between Israel and Palestine and bigotry at large. Photo courtesy Wikipedia.org

“There are things going on in Israel that even a lot of Jewish friends of mine have had serious issues with,” she said. “But by

isolating Israel and ignoring all the other bad actors in the world, you’re allowing a lot of negative attention to be directed at some-

one who is nowhere near as bad their adversaries are.” CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

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What’s going on... Harrison Public Library

lings are welcome. Participants can wear pajamas and sing with Chloe during this evening class with songs, music and more. No registration required.

Teen volunteer meeting On Thursday, July 6 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. This is a meeting for teens who will be volunteering to read with children on Monday and Tuesday mornings. Visit harrisonpl.org for more information on programs and library hours. The library will be closed on Tuesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

Summer Jobs 4 Teens On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through July 28 at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. The YES (Youth Employment Services of the Harrison Youth Council) representative will be available to discuss job opportunities with students in the Teen Center.

Construction Zone storytime and craft On Monday, July 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the West Harrison Branch. For ages 1 to 7. Build a better world with construction. Great stories, songs and fun with Miss Bonnie. No registration necessary; bring your friends. Stay after for a construction-themed craft, for ages 2 to 7.

Pajama Party with Chloe On Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the West Harrison Branch. For children up to age 4; sib-

Discovery Play On Fridays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. Join Miss Claudia and discover a cool sensory bin and other fun games at the library. Sensory play engages the fives senses, stimulating cognitive development.

Chloe’s Sign & Play On Fridays from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. Give your child the gift of language. Sign & Play is a fun class where families can learn to communicate with their pre-verbal children using real signs from American Sign Language. Based on the award-winning Baby Signing Time series, this class will give parents a window into the hearts and minds of their little ones. Through fun songs, stories and games, parents and children will learn many useful signs for everyday communication.

Build a Bird Feeder On Friday, July 7 from 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the West Harrison Branch. For ages 5 to 12. A Summer Reading Challenge project. Use cereal and

pipe-cleaners build a bird feeder for the neighborhood birds.

Yoga with Angela On Fridays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. For ages 6 to 12. Bring your own mat and water to this lovely, mind and body relaxing yoga experience with Harrison resident Angela Brandt, a registered and certified yoga instructor. This is an opportunity to create self-esteem, physical coordination, breath relaxation and strength. Participants can continue their practice and have fun over the summer.

Harrison Recreation Please be aware that parents must have a current 2017 ID card to register children for all programs. Please be prepared to show proof of residency with a current utility bill and driver’s license. A school report card or progress report is required for a child ID card. 2017 resident IDs and pool passes are now available for purchase. The spring/summer brochure is currently available online, and new programs and applications are added regularly. Visit harrison-ny.gov/recreation for more information on programs and the Recreation Department.

Summer employment opportunities The Harrison Recreation Department still has positions open for their summer camps. Please call Kristen Ciafone at 670-3068 if you are interested in working as a counselor this summer. Adults with experience preferred.

Summer Concert Series All concerts start at 7 p.m. On Monday, July 3, Frank and the Wanderers with Sue Chiarella Maise will perform in downtown Harrison. Fireworks will follow at 9:15 p.m. at the Harrison Shopping Center on Halstead Avenue. On Thursday, July 6, Tracy DeLucia will perform at the West Harrison Village Green.

Harrison school news The Feeley Fund The Eugene J. Feeley Harrison High School, Student Aid Fund Inc. has awarded grants to four Harrison High School 2017 graduates: Caroline DeCarlo, attending Pennsylvania State University; Michael Maida, attending the University of New Hampshire at Durham; Steven Maldonado, attending the University of Pennsylvania; and Mariah Reyes, attending Sacred Heart University. Headed by Dr. Christopher Tyler, the Faculty Selection Committee chooses students who are accepted at accredited colleges and are financially eligible. The Feeley Fund, established in 1967, is a continuation of the Harrison High School Scholarship Fund begun in 1947. Since then, more than 1000 students have received more than $550,000 in financial aid. Lola Geiger, executive director of the Feeley Fund, ably assisted by Mary Riguzzi, thanks all Harrison residents, parents and faculty for providing the financial assistance for these worthy young people.

Contributions may be sent to: The Feeley Fund, 255 Union Ave., Harrison, NY 10528. The Class of 2018 may obtain information about the Feeley Fund from the Guidance Department of the Harrison High School.

Westchester County news Register for swim classes at county pools Online registration is now open for swimming and aquatic fitness classes at Saxon Woods pool in White Plains, Tibbetts Brook pool in Yonkers and Playland pool in Rye. For children and for adults just getting started with swimming, Learn-to-Swim lessons are offered for all ages and ability levels, from toddlers age 3 to senior citizens. Classes begin Wednesday, July 5, and run through Friday, Aug. 11. Lessons for adults ages 18 and older will be held only at Saxon Woods pool. The schedule for classes at Tibbetts Brook and Saxon Woods is as follows: Children ages 3–6: Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Children ages 7–10: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Children ages 11–17: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Adults (ages 18 and up): Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. (Saxon Woods only). Class schedule for Playland Pool is as follows: Children ages 3–6: Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Children ages 7–10: Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Children ages 11–17: Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Only online registration is accepted. The registration fee is $80, which includes pool admission fees for the participant. Adults and teens participating in the Learn-to-Swim program at Tibbetts Brook and Saxon Woods pools must present a valid Westchester County resident Park Pass on the first day of class; children under 12 registering for the lessons must be accompanied by a Park Pass-holding parent or adult guardian. A Park Pass is not required at Playland. For swimmers who want a high-power, cardiovascular fitness workout, a six-session Aqua Zumba class will also be offered this summer. Classes will be held on Friday nights from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Saxon Woods Pool from July 7 through July 26; and on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Tibbetts Brook Pool from July 8 through July 27. Fee is $75. A Park Pass is not required but participants must be Westchester County residents. Only online registration is accepted. For more information or to register for the programs, visit parks.westchestergov.com/activities/ swimming. Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at noon. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.

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June 30, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 5 UBER from page 1

Uber Policy Director Josh Gold discusses bringing the company’s services to Westchester County. Photos/ Corey Stockton

a ride through the app and then turn a driver away. When asked if Uber would charge a cancellation fee to those who turned down a ride because a driver did not have a Thumbs Up decal, Josh Gold, Uber policy director, said, “That’s something we’ve already started looking into and that’s something we’d probably not want to happen.” Astorino said that the Thumbs Up program is the first in the nation, and that he hoped the county would set an example for the state, influencing a rewrite of the new ride-hailing law. “We also hope that this will spark a conversation around the state, and ultimately will lead to the state amending the law again that would permit and require fingerprinting across the state,” he said. In the meantime, county Legislator Michael Kaplowitz, a Yorktown Democrat and chairman of the Board of Legislators, lambasted the state for forcing the county to either opt out or participate under the state’s rules. “Because of New York state, we are now in a shotgun marriage,” he said. “And I’m disappointed in Uber and Lyft for not wanting to start off this marriage in a better place, but I’m hoping in fact that we can make the best of a situation that is potentially starting out with difficulty.” He added that he would not hesitate to initiate an opt-out process if ride-hailing companies did not continue to work to promote safety in the county. Ride-hailing companies were legalized across the state as part of New York state’s 2017 budget,

Westchester County’s Thumbs Up program will give decals to drivers who choose to get fingerprinted and enter them into a pool of approved drivers for ride-hailing, taxi or limousine companies.

which was passed in early April. As part of that law, municipalities with 100,000 residents or more had the option to participate in the state’s program or to opt out of it, but not to draft a separate law reg-

ulating those companies. The state DMV released its regulations on June 6, which did not include a fingerprinting requirement. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

6 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • June 30, 2017

Harrison REVIEW

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Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com

Fine art gallery opens new space

Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com

By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Assistant Editor

Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Assistant Editor | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com Reporter | Corey Stockton ext. 16, corey@hometwn.com Reporter | Franco Fino ext. 18, franco@hometwn.com General Assignment | Taylor Brown ext. 30, taylor@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lindsay Sturman ext. 14, lsturman@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writer James Pero Staff Photographers Andrew Dapolite, Jen Parente Columnists Ron Belmont, Lenore Skenazy Letters The community’s opinion matters. If you have a view to express, write a letter to the editor by email to chris@hometwn.com. Please include a phone number and name for verification purposes. Community Events If you have an event you would like to share with the community, send it to news@hometwn.com.

Kenny Ackerman poses amongst artwork in his new gallery space. Photo/Angela Altus

When you have a lot of time on your hands, you might want to explore a passion that may turn into a new career. That’s what happened to Kenny Ackerman, the owner, founder and director of Ackerman’s Fine Art in Purchase, who opened the gallery in 2011. “There’s really nobody like us,” Ackerman told the Review about his 2900 Westchester Ave. space. “People come in from the neighborhood and say, ‘How come I didn’t know about this place?’” Ackerman, 54, lives in Chappaqua, just a 20-minute car ride from his specialty gallery Ackerman’s Fine Art recently opened a second viewing space at the 2900 Westchester Ave. commercial office building to accommodate the gallery’s growing, unique collection. Prices for the artwork range from $25,000 to millions of dollars, supported by an international network of experts, dealers and advisers that Ackerman has built over the years. He did not want to commute into the city, nor did he want the hustle and bustle of a retail store. The accessibility of the office building in Purchase is one thing that sold Ackerman to open at the office park, as most of his business comes from outside the area. Having left the life of a Wall Street trader more than 15 years ago, Ackerman was inspired to open an art gallery after his second trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2003, with his wife, who is an avid art lover, and young daughter.

He came across a collection that left the biggest impression on him. “I just fell in love with art when we went to the Impressionist section,” he said of the 19th century art movement, with arguably his favorite artist, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, as one of the style’s pioneers. “When I walked out of there, I said to my wife, ‘I think this is something I could do.’” Now he just had to learn the fine art business from scratch. He did so with the help of his wife, observing auctions, studying books and visiting museums and galleries nationwide. “I learned the hard way,” Ackerman said. “I’m always learning, every day.” Ackerman is a self-made art dealer, having done everything on his own. He was even buying art while making connections, and learned some valuable lessons along the way. “[Other dealers] didn’t really care that I was getting ripped off, buying stuff that wasn’t that good,” he said. “I got to see what the art world was all about.” This learning experience is what inspired Ackerman to open a gallery that wants to help people make the best purchase, “saving them time, money and aggravation.” What sets Ackerman’s Fine Art apart is its oneon-one, personal service. “We pick and choose who we deal with,” Ackerman said. “We let the art do the talking.”

One item on display in early June was a screen print of Andy Warhol’s “Beethoven.” Photo/Sibylla Chipaziwa

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Ackerman’s Fine Art is located in two spaces at 2900 Westchester Ave. in Purchase. Contributed photo

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Ackerman’s Fine Art

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2900 Westchester Ave., Suite 107, Purchase, NY 10577

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800-791-6509

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ackermansfineart.com

June 30, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 7

Commission to solicit long-term restaurant operator By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer The Rye Town Park Commission is aiming to release an official proposition next month seeking a restaurateur to take over the park’s food and concession stands at the start of 2018. As the park’s current deal with Homestyle Caterers is set to expire at the end of the year, the park commission will be looking to solidify a long-term package for its restaurant space that houses its steak, seafood and grill outlet, the Ocean Grille. According to Rye Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman, a Democrat and president of the park commission, the plan to release a request for proposals, RFP, comes just after a proposal to give the park commission more flexibility in negotiating longterm contracts passed the state Legislature last week. “This gives us confidence that we’ll be able to enter into a long-term license with whoever wins the award,” Zuckerman said. Under current state law, the park commission cannot accept a deal with a vendor that exceeds three years without special state authorization. However, if the

bill is signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, it would permit the park commission to deal out a license agreement for its restaurant space for any period up to20 years. The previous owners of the restaurant formerly known as Seaside Johnnies, John Ambrose and Sam Chernin, held two separate deals with Rye Town Park that were longer than three years; however, both required state approval. The co-owners were offered a seven-year deal in 1999 and a 10-year extension in 2002 for their business, which operated at the park since 2000. The legislation, put forth in May by state Sen. George Latimer and Assemblyman Steve Otis, both Rye Democrats, would amend provisions of a law from 1907 that established and sets guidelines relating to the management of the inter-municipal park, which is jointly owned by the town and city of Rye. The park is located off of Forest Avenue in the city of Rye. Rye City Councilwoman Julie Killian, a Republican and member of the park commission, told the Review the legislation would help residents of all the communities represented in the commis-

sion, which consists of members from the city and town of Rye, the villages of Port Chester and Rye Brook, and the Rye Neck section of the village of Mamaroneck. “[The legislation] is in the best interests of all Rye Town and Rye City residents as it gives us much needed flexibility to attract the best possible candidates,” Killian said, adding that a new deal would include an update of the park’s food facilities. As of press time, the commission is planning to send out the RFP during its meeting on July 18. Several restaurateurs, including the park’s current licensee, have already pledged their interest in submitting an offer. Last November, well-known restaurateur Angelo Liberatore, an operating partner of the Fort Pond Bay Company—which operates Half Moon in Dobbs Ferry and Harvest on Hudson in Hastings-on-Hudson—told the Review that he plans on submitting a proposal to operate a restaurant out of Rye Town Park, which overlooks Oakland Beach and the Long Island Sound, at the beginning of 2018. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

Following recently passed state legislation giving the Rye Town Park Commission more flexibility in negotiating lengthier contracts, Rye Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman told the Review the commission will begin soliciting a long-term operator for its restaurant. File photo

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Summertime events and achievements Mayor Ron Belmont

As a reminder, holiday events are quickly approaching. On July 3, in downtown Harrison, The Wanderers, a ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s rock n’ roll, rhythm and blues band, will be the entertainment for the evening’s festivities, beginning at 8 p.m. Fireworks will begin promptly at 9:15 p.m. at Wilding Park on Oakland Avenue in downtown Harrison. I look forward to a spectacular celebration and hope to see you all there. Future July and August events include musical entertainment by Rat Race Choir, Club Dennis (of the Dennis Nardone Show), Alive N’ Kickin’, Jackie DiMaggio, The Hindenberg, and many more. All future concerts will begin at 7 p.m. Please visit our website at harrison-ny.gov for event locations and additional information. Please make note of the following sanitation schedule change: Tuesday, July 4 is a holiday and offices will be closed for Independence Day. Garbage and recycling normally collected

begun in 1947. Since then, more than 1,000 students have received more than $550,000 in financial aid. Lola Geiger, executive director of the Feeley Fund and ably assisted by Mary Riguzzi, thanks all Harrison residents, parents and faculty for providing the financial assistance for these worthy young people. On a related note, I would like to take this time to recognize our local high school graduates. It was wonderful to see the excited students and their proud parents at this very moving event. The strong educational foundation, that the students have received, will undoubtedly set them on the path to success. The skills they have learned from teachers, coaches, administrators and parents will be essential to them as they take their next step. I’m confident that they have been prepared, in the best possible way, to succeed. Congratulations to the Class of 2017! In closing, I would like to wish all residents a happy, healthy and safe Fourth of July weekend. As you celebrate with family and friends, please remember those in our armed forces who helped to make freedom possible.

Seg is gorgeous German shepherd, about 6 to 7 years old and 74 pounds. This regal gentleman is very sweet, on the quiet side, and is friendly with other dogs and people alike. He sleeps peacefully through the night, loves to be near you, does not jump on furniture, and is very respectful of all. He will make a wonderful companion! Seg is neutered, vaccinated, dewormed and microchipped. Make him part of your family for an adoption donation of $300. To meet Seg, call 834-6955 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)

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on Tuesday will be picked up on Wednesday, July 5. There will be no bulk trash pickup on July 5. I would like to take this time to highlight the athletic accomplishments of several Harrison students. Brian Aslanian recently made the second team All-Section, and Dylan Karofsky and Luke Steinthal received honorable mentions for this spring’s high school golf season. Congratulations on an impressive achievement and a job well done! The Eugene J. Feeley Harrison High School Student Aid Fund Inc. (The Feeley Fund) has awarded grants to four Harrison High School 2017 graduates: Caroline DeCarlo to attend Pennsylvania State University; Michael Maida to attend the University of New Hampshire at Durham; Steven Maldonado to attend the University of Pennsylvania; and Mariah Reyes to attend Sacred Heart University. Headed by Dr. Christopher Tyler, the Faculty Selection Committee chooses students who are accepted at accredited colleges and are financially eligible. The Feeley Fund, established in 1967, is a continuation of the Harrison High School Scholarship Fund

INSIDE WESTCHESTER COUNTY

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Astorino opens county pools for the season County Executive Robert Astorino kicked-off the county’s summer pool and beach season with a splash at Tibbets Brook Pool in Yonkers on Friday, June 23. Astorino was joined by Parks Commissioner Kathleen O’Connor and Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, M.D., to share safety tips that help residents and their families make the most of this summer. “We have a terrific team of lifeguards at all our pools and beaches,” Astorino said. “But parents and guardians are the first line of defense for swim safety. Please watch your children when they are in or near the water, make sure they never swim alone and only swim a when a lifeguard is on duty.” All county pools are now open and county beaches have been opened since May 27. Tibbetts Brook Park, Saxon Woods Park and Willson’s Waves pools are open from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily through Sept. 4; Playland Pool and the beaches at Playland, Glen Island and Croton Point are open Wednesdays through Sundays and on Monday, July 3, and Tuesday, July 4. “One of the most joyful parts

of my job is seeing our residents and their guests enjoy a day in our pools and at our beaches,” O’Connor said. “I am pleased to join with the County Executive and the Health Department today to stress the importance of staying safe while you have fun in and near the water.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury or death among children ages one to four years old and the second leading cause among children ages five to nine years old, Amler added. “It’s also critical to always stay within arm’s reach of infants and toddlers in the water and to always keep your eyes on children playing in or near the shore,” said Almer. “Pool floats, inner tubes, water wings and noodles are no substitute for close supervision. Swimming and alcohol, just like boating and alcohol, don’t mix.” Westchester County’s Learnto-Swim program is offered for both children and adults throughout the county at Tibbetts Brook Park, Playland Pool, and Saxon Woods Pool in White Plains. For more information and to register for the program, go to Parks.

westchestergov.com/learn-toswim. Swimming lessons are also offered at many local YMCAs and at municipal pools. In or out of the water, the summer sun can cause health risks that can be easily prevented. “Anyone spending time outdoors, whether for recreation or work, should always protect their skin from the effects of the summer sun,” Amler said. “Skin damage builds up and accelerates the aging of your skin and it also increases your risk for skin cancer. Wear a hat and sunglasses, avoid the midday sun and reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially after you swim or sweat, to avoid sunburn” UV rays can damage skin in as little as 15 minutes, and according to the CDC, skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. Amler recommends that residents buy sunscreens with broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, and while the CDC suggests using a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15, most dermatologists recommend an SPF of at least 30, which will block 97 percent of the sun’s UVB rays. To avoid heat exhaustion or

County Executive Rob Astorino marked the official opening of county pools at the Tibbets Brook Pool in Yonkers on June 23. Contributed photo

heat stroke, stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day and stay in the shade during the sun’s peak hours. Heat stroke is a serious condition marked by hot red, dry skin, shallow breathing, a rapid, weak pulse, and confusion. Anyone who is suffering from heat

stroke needs immediate medical attention. Call 911 if you suspect heat stroke and immediately cool down the overheated person while waiting for help to arrive. Heat exhaustion is less dangerous but still poses concerns. Its signs include headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness and exhaus-

tion, as well as cool, moist, pale or flushed skin. For more health and safety tips, visit Westchestergov.com/ health and Westchestergov.com; or visit the Westchester Health Department on Facebook and Twitter at @Wchealthdept. (Submitted)

Water safety advice for parents and guardians: • Teach your children never to swim in pools, beaches or lakes that are closed. • Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults. • Keep children away from pool drains, pipes, and other openings to avoid entrapments. • Ensure any pool and spa you use has drain covers that comply with federal safety standards, and, if you don’t know, ask about safe drain covers. • At the beach, never fight currents; swim parallel to shore and at an angle if you find yourself in a rip current.

12 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • June 30, 2017

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June 30, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 13

14 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • June 30, 2017

SPORTS

And Zen there were none LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

On Wednesday morning, New York basketball fans awoke to the news that the Knicks were parting ways with team president Phil Jackson, putting an end to the Zen Master’s tumultuous tenure in the Big Apple. But even if we admit Jackson’s three-year stint in New York was an unmitigated disaster, I have to give him this; at least it was entertaining. I may have had high hopes when the Knicks announced their partnership with the basketball guru back in 2014. I, like many Knicks fans, thought that bringing in a proven winner like Jackson—even if he wouldn’t be handling the day-to-day coaching responsibilities—would be a boon for a franchise that really couldn’t claim too many victories over the last 20-some-odd years. At the very least, I figured, the man with 11 NBA championship rings would bring a little bit of professionalism to the Garden.

Boy, was I wrong. Two solid draft picks (Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez) aside, there wasn’t a whole lot that Jackson got right. But at least his mistakes were anything but boring. And when you have a team such as the Knicks, who wouldn’t have sniffed a conference title even if everything had broken their way, if you’re not going to be good, you might as well be interesting. I’m not talking about Phil handing out bad contracts to injury-prone veterans like Joakim Noah. That’s just garden-variety mismanagement. Where Phil really made his mark on the back pages of New York papers was with his stubbornness to let go of the triangle offense and a seemingly endless string of beefs with everyone from the best player in the NBA to the Knicks’ own stars. Of course, there were his comments about LeBron James’ “posse,” which led to swift rebukes from those accusing the Knicks president of using racially coded language. There was Jackson, publicly sniping at his two biggest stars in Carmelo Anthony and Porzingis, leading to

the latter completely skipping his end-of-the-year exit meeting with the front office. There were reports of Jackson hijacking head coach Jeff Hornacek’s practices to teach the tenets of his outdated offensive system. Heck, the guy even fell asleep during a pre-draft workout for a top NBA prospect! In a way, I think it’s exactly what Knicks fans needed. Sure, the franchise has been bad over the last 20 years, but they haven’t been bad in the same manner as the Nets, who are just a run-of-the-mill bad basketball team. It’s these constant crises, initiated by Jackson and, before him, Isiah Thomas, that have kept the Knicks relevant through their on-court mediocrity—albeit for all the wrong reasons. I don’t know where the Knicks go from here, but it would be tough to see how it could possibly get any worse. But then again, if the Knicks have taught me anything during my 32 years on this earth, it’s that it can always get worse. And it probably will.

Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

On June 28, the New York Knicks fired team president Phil Jackson, right. Even if the Zen Master’s stay in the Big Apple wasn’t a success, at least it was entertaining. Photo courtesy Wikipedia.org

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LIVE MIKE! Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports stats • recaps • commentary Follow Mike Smith @harrisonreview for Mike’s live, in-game action updates

SPORTS

June 30, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 15

Local sailors reach Bermuda

Eli Lapkin and father Drew, center, stand with Eli’s grandfather Barry Feldman, second from left, after finishing the 2017 Marion-Bermuda Race on June 14. The boat, Scarlet, finished the course in four days, 17 hours, eight minutes and 31 seconds.

By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor A local sailor got his first taste of open-water competition last week, as Harrison resident Eli Lapkin completed the biannual Marion-Bermuda Race aboard a 47-foot yacht named Scarlet. The five-day journey, which saw Lapkin chart a course from Massachusetts to Bermuda, was a true family affair, as the rising Harrison High School junior sailed alongside his father, Drew Lapkin, and

maternal grandfather Barry Feldman in what he believes will be the start of a long life on the high seas. Scarlet set out from Marion, Massachusetts, on June 9 and docked in St. David’s Head, Bermuda five days later, earning the local seamen a third-place finish in the 40th iteration of the famed yachting race. But for Eli Lapkin, the finish wasn’t nearly as important as the journey itself. Eli Lapkin, who began his love affair with boating at an early age, said that he

Scarlet, second from right, begins the Marion-Bermuda Race on June 9.

had set his sights on competing in the Marion-Bermuda Race for quite some time. “I’ve been interested in this for a while, my grandfather has had a boat for as long as I have been alive,” he said. “He had done the race six or seven times, my uncle did it, my father had done three or four races, so it was something I wanted to do.” Although his own experience was limited, in large part, to sailing on smaller boats closer to shore, Eli Lapkin’s

Scarlet navigates the water following the start of the Marion-Bermuda Race. The boat was crewed by three generations of local sailors. Contributed photos

enthusiasm for this undertaking was apparent from the outset, according to his father, Drew Lapkin. In the lead-up to the race, which was marked by hours of sailing courses and safety preparation, Drew Lapkin noted that his 15-year-old son seemed to grasp the importance of the pre-race preparation, assuaging any fears he might have had about undertaking the grueling course. “I think he understood the seriousness of it,” Drew Lapkin said. “In the safety-at-sea courses, [Eli] was putting as much energy and attention into that as he would into his schoolwork, so I knew he would be ready.” But despite all of his preparation, Eli Lapkin admits that he was a bit awestruck when the race kicked off and he found his boat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean with no land in sight. “Once we couldn’t see any other boats, with no land on the horizon, it’s different,” he said. “It really feels like you are all alone, in the middle of nowhere, just going across the ocean.” With a crew of six working in shifts around the clock, Scarlet finished the race in four days, 17 hours, eight minutes and 31 seconds, covering a distance of more than 740 miles. But the trip was an eventful one, as bad weather at the start of the race, a faulty rudder and some calm seas toward the finish line made for a complicated voyage. “It was definitely a tale of two races; the first 2 1/2 days we had big swells, rough seas and about three of our six crewmembers got seasick,” Drew Lapkin said. “We were making great time,

but it was exhausting, and Eli did quite well in those conditions.” The winds quieted down the homestretch, leading some on the boat to wonder if they would be able to reach their destination without turning on the boat’s motor and risking a disqualification. But on the fifth day, the finish line came into sight. “It was so exciting, the wind picked up a bit in the morning and we could see Bermuda on the horizon,” Eli Lapkin said. “It was so close and we almost thought we weren’t going to make it.” “It’s a great feeling,” Drew Lapkin added. “You can think back to what the early explorers went through as you are crossing that finish line; you know that your hard work and cooperation is what got you there because ocean sailing is all about adapting to any crises that are thrown your way.” As for the quieter moments, Drew Lapkin said, it gave him, his son and his father-in-law a great chance to bond. “It was special, especially considering the fact that it was three generations,” he said. “You’re completely detached from the real world, your cellphones aren’t working, and it just gives you a chance to get away from the dayto-day of life and have meaningful conversations.” “Some people say that the longer you are on a boat, the smaller it gets,” Eli Lapkin said. “And I think I definitely grew closer to my dad and grandpa; it was so much fun to be able to do it with them.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

16 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • June 30, 2017